CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ecclesiastes 4:12 And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/21_Ecc_04_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 4:12 - The Evil of Oppression" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/">Ecclesiastes</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 4:11">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 4:12 <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-13.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 4:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three <i>strands</i> is not quickly torn apart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three <i>strands</i> is not quickly torn apart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can stand against him. A cord of three <i>strands</i> is not quickly torn apart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And though one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three <i>strands</i> is not quickly broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Someone might be able to beat up one of you, but not both of you. As the saying goes, "A rope made from three strands of cord is hard to break." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Though one person may be overpowered by another, two people can resist one opponent. A triple-braided rope is not easily broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one person alone. A rope made of three cords is hard to break. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If someone attacks one of them, the two of them together will resist. Furthermore, the tri-braided cord is not soon broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Although an assailant may overpower one person, two can withstand him. Moreover, a three-stranded cord is not quickly broken. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And if the one strengthens himself, the two stand against him; and the threefold cord is not quickly broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And if the one strengthen himself, the two stand against him; and the threefold cord is not hastily broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And if one shall become strong against him, two shall stand before him; and a three-fold thread shall not be quickly broken.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And if a man can prevail against one, two may withstand him, and a threefold cord is broken with difficulty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Where one alone may be overcome, two together can resist. A three-ply cord is not easily broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And if one is too strong for him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if one will prevail, two of them will stand against him, and a threefold cord is not quickly broken<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And if one should prevail against <i>him</i>, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord shall not be quickly broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=761" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">The Evil of Oppression</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: wə·’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">And though</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: hā·’e·ḥāḏ (Art:: Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">one</a> <a href="/hebrew/8630.htm" title="8630: yiṯ·qə·p̄ōw (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms:: 3ms) -- To prevail over, overpower. A primitive root; to overpower.">may be overpowered,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: haš·šə·na·yim (Art:: Number-md) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">two</a> <a href="/hebrew/5975.htm" title="5975: ya·‘am·ḏū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To take one's stand, stand. A primitive root; to stand, in various relations.">can resist.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5048.htm" title="5048: neḡ·dōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- From nagad; a front, i.e. Part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually over against or before."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2339.htm" title="2339: wə·ha·ḥūṭ (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- Thread, cord, line. From an unused root probably meaning to sew; a string; by implication, a measuring tape.">Moreover, a cord</a> <a href="/hebrew/8027.htm" title="8027: ham·šul·lāš (Art:: V-Pual-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root perhaps originally to intensify, i.e. Treble; but apparently used only as denominative from shalowsh, to be triplicate.">of three</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">strands is not</a> <a href="/hebrew/4120.htm" title="4120: ḇim·hê·rāh (Prep-b:: Adv) -- Haste, speed. Feminine of maher; properly, a hurry; hence promptly.">quickly</a> <a href="/hebrew/5423.htm" title="5423: yin·nā·ṯêq (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- To pull, draw, or tear away, apart, or off. A primitive root; to tear off.">broken.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-20.htm">Matthew 18:20</a></span><br />For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/27-17.htm">Proverbs 27:17</a></span><br />As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-12.htm">1 Corinthians 12:12-14</a></span><br />The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. / For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink. / For the body does not consist of one part, but of many.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/17-21.htm">John 17:21-23</a></span><br />that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. / I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one— / I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-3.htm">Ephesians 4:3</a></span><br />and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-12.htm">1 John 4:12</a></span><br />No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-4.htm">Romans 12:4-5</a></span><br />Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, / so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-14.htm">Colossians 3:14</a></span><br />And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-8.htm">1 Peter 3:8</a></span><br />Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-24.htm">Hebrews 10:24-25</a></span><br />And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. / Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Genesis 2:18</a></span><br />The LORD God also said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/23-16.htm">1 Samuel 23:16</a></span><br />And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/10-11.htm">2 Samuel 10:11-12</a></span><br />“If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue. / Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-17.htm">Proverbs 17:17</a></span><br />A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-24.htm">Proverbs 18:24</a></span><br />A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.</p><p class="hdg">and if</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/23-9.htm">2 Samuel 23:9,16,18,19,23</a></b></br> And after him <i>was</i> Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, <i>one</i> of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines <i>that</i> were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/3-16.htm">Daniel 3:16,17</a></b></br> Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we <i>are</i> not careful to answer thee in this matter… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/4-3.htm">Ephesians 4:3</a></b></br> Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-7.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/psalms/124-2.htm">Attacked</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-1.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-8.htm">Cord</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-22.htm">Cords</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-9.htm">Defend</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-8.htm">Hastily</a> <a href="/job/15-24.htm">Overpower</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-32.htm">Overpowered</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-21.htm">Prevail</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-13.htm">Prevaileth</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-21.htm">Prevails</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-5.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-4.htm">Resist</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-25.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-4.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/exodus/39-3.htm">Strands</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-17.htm">Strengthen</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-18.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-29.htm">Three</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm">Together</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-9.htm">Torn</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-15.htm">Twisted</a> <a href="/psalms/147-17.htm">Withstand</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-29.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-6.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/isaiah/20-1.htm">Attacked</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-6.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-6.htm">Cord</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-18.htm">Cords</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Defend</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-16.htm">Hastily</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-7.htm">Overpower</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-7.htm">Overpowered</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-1.htm">Prevail</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-13.htm">Prevaileth</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-13.htm">Prevails</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-4.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-20.htm">Resist</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-8.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-15.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/ezekiel/5-3.htm">Strands</a> <a href="/songs/2-5.htm">Strengthen</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-3.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-5.htm">Three</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Together</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-25.htm">Torn</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-10.htm">Twisted</a> <a href="/daniel/11-15.htm">Withstand</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-1.htm">vanity is increased unto men by oppression</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-4.htm">by envy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-5.htm">by idleness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-7.htm">by covetousness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-9.htm">by solitariness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-13.htm">by willfulness</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And though one may be overpowered</b><br>This phrase highlights the vulnerability of an individual when facing challenges or adversaries. In the ancient Near Eastern context, traveling alone was perilous due to the threat of bandits and wild animals. The Bible often emphasizes the importance of community and mutual support, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/27-17.htm">Proverbs 27:17</a>, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." This reflects the broader biblical theme of the strength found in companionship and the dangers of isolation.<p><b>two can resist</b><br>The idea of two people being able to resist an adversary underscores the strength found in partnership. This concept is echoed in the teachings of Jesus, who sent His disciples out in pairs (<a href="/mark/6-7.htm">Mark 6:7</a>), emphasizing the importance of mutual support in ministry. The historical context of ancient Israel, where alliances and partnerships were crucial for survival, further illustrates the practical wisdom of this statement. Ecclesiastes often reflects on the benefits of companionship, as seen earlier in the chapter with the advantages of two people working together.<p><b>Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken</b><br>This metaphor illustrates the increased strength and resilience found in unity. The imagery of a threefold cord suggests a completeness and stability that surpasses a single or even a double strand. In biblical symbolism, the number three often represents completeness or divine perfection, as seen in the Trinity. This phrase can also be seen as a type of Christ, where the presence of God in a relationship or community adds an unbreakable strength. The principle of unity is further supported by Jesus' prayer for His followers to be one (<a href="/john/17-21.htm">John 17:21</a>), highlighting the spiritual power of unity in faith.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>- The cultural and historical context of Ecclesiastes is ancient Israel, where community and family ties were crucial for survival and prosperity.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_preacher.htm">The Preacher (Qoheleth)</a></b><br>- The speaker in Ecclesiastes, often identified as Solomon, who reflects on the meaning of life and the pursuit of wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_strength_of_unity.htm">The Strength of Unity</a></b><br>The verse underscores the power of unity and collaboration. In life, challenges are inevitable, but facing them with others provides strength and resilience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_relationships.htm">The Importance of Relationships</a></b><br>Relationships are vital for spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. Investing in meaningful relationships can provide support and encouragement.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_god_in_relationships.htm">The Role of God in Relationships</a></b><br>The "cord of three strands" can symbolize the inclusion of God in relationships, suggesting that when God is part of our relationships, they are stronger and more enduring.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_application_in_community.htm">Practical Application in Community</a></b><br>Involvement in a church or community group can provide the support and accountability needed to grow in faith and face life's challenges.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_spirit_world's_nature.htm">What is the nature of the spirit world?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_unity.htm">What does the Bible say about Christian unity?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_believers_divorce_despite_god.htm">Malachi 2:14 – If God is a witness to marriage, why do so many believers experience divorce despite this warning? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'resist_the_devil'_mean.htm">What does "Resist the devil, and he will flee" mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - The third instance shows the value of the protection afforded by a companion's presence when danger threatens. <span class="cmt_word">If one prevail against him, two shall withstand him</span>; better, <span class="accented">if a man overpower the solitary one</span>, <span class="accented">the two</span> (ver. 9) will <span class="accented">withstand him</span>. The idea of the traveler is continued. If he were attacked by robbers, he would be easily overpowered when alone; but two comrades might successfully resist the assault. <span class="cmt_word">And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.</span> This is probably a proverbial saying, like our "Union is strength." Hereby the advantage of association is more strongly enforced. If the companionship of two is profitable, much more is this the case when more combine. The cord of three strands was the strongest made. The number three is used as the symbol of completeness and perfection. <span class="accented">Funiculus triplex diffcile rumpitur</span>, the Vulgate rendering, has become a trite saying; and the gnome has been constantly applied in a mystical or spiritual sense, with which, originally and humanly speaking, it has no concern. Herein is seen an adumbration of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, the Eternal Three in One; of the three Christian virtues, faith, hope, and charity, which go to make the Christian life; of the Christian's body, soul, and spirit, which are consecrated as a temple of the Most High. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And though</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאִֽם־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֶחָ֔ד</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’e·ḥāḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> </span><span class="str2">United, one, first</span><br /><br /><span class="word">may be overpowered,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִתְקְפוֹ֙</span> <span class="translit">(yiṯ·qə·p̄ōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8630.htm">Strong's 8630: </a> </span><span class="str2">To prevail over, overpower</span><br /><br /><span class="word">two</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשְּׁנַ֖יִם</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šə·na·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Number - md<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can resist.</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעַמְד֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘am·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5975.htm">Strong's 5975: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stand, in various relations</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Moreover, a cord</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַחוּט֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ha·ḥūṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2339.htm">Strong's 2339: </a> </span><span class="str2">A string, a measuring tape</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of three</span><br /><span class="heb">הַֽמְשֻׁלָּ֔שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(ham·šul·lāš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8027.htm">Strong's 8027: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do a third time, divide into three parts</span><br /><br /><span class="word">strands is not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">quickly</span><br /><span class="heb">בִמְהֵרָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḇim·hê·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4120.htm">Strong's 4120: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hurry, promptly</span><br /><br /><span class="word">broken.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִנָּתֵֽק׃</span> <span class="translit">(yin·nā·ṯêq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5423.htm">Strong's 5423: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pull, draw, or tear away, apart, or off</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 4:12 If a man prevails against one who (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 4:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 4:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 4:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 4:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>